Grace and Peace

This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. (1 John 1:5 NKJV)

A pitcher seeks to pitch the "perfect game".  Criminal masterminds plot the "perfect crime".  A young woman spends hours and mega-bucks to achieve the "perfect look" before venturing out to the prom.  A young man searches for that "perfect diamond" for his true love.  Yet, all of these things are flawed in some way.

The pitcher undoubtly missed his target with some of his pitches and needed some great plays made by his fielders to perserve his "perfect game".  The criminal always makes some error which leaves behind a microscopic shred of evidence that allows the detective to solve his "perfect crime".  The prom queen has some splotch or pimple, which although cleverly concealed by make-up, still in her heart of hearts spoils her "perfect look".  That "perfect diamond" looks great until his fiancee meets a friend with something bigger, better, and more expensive.

Human perfection is an illusion.  It is unattainable.  That does not mean that we should not strive for excellence and make our best effort.  It does mean that perfection is the exclusive property of God.

Note how John uses the metaphor of "light" and "darkness" to describe God's perfection.  "God is light and in Him is no darkness at all."  Light dispels darkness.  Light and darkness are mutually exclusive.  God is Light.  He illuminates.  He warms.  He has no hidden flaw.

Celebrate the perfect and immutable God today.  Let the perfect work of His Son, our Lord Jesus, have its full efficacy in your life.

--that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.  (1 John 1:3-4 NKJV)

One can’t help but note in the first chapter of this letter the sense of urgency John brings to his role as a witness for Jesus.  This is an undercurrent in his letters, gospel and the Revelation also.  John has taken to heart the responsibility he bears as an Apostle (and a Christ follower) to bear witness to the risen Christ.

But don’t miss the important theme of fellowship in this letter.  Fellowship here is more than a pot luck dinner or an elevated sense of friendship.  John correctly ties fellowship to knowing Jesus.  Our fellowship is all about our kinship in Christ.  That means that in the truest sense of the word, you can’t have fellowship with someone who doesn’t know Christ.

Now that is not to say that Christians aren’t to love those who don’t yet know Christ…most definitely we should…but Christian fellowship is based on a mutual relationship with Christ.  The real source of fellowship is Jesus.

When we have known and experienced the love of God in Jesus Christ, then we can take that same love and share it with another believer.  That believer then identifies with that affection, because he too knows experientially the love of God through Jesus and reciprocates.  That’s fellowship…when you love and are loved by another believer like Christ has loved you. 

Make a choice today to be encouraged by the riches of God’s love by expressing it to another Christian.  Let that brother or sister in Christ near to your heart and enjoy the kinship and fellowship that Jesus brings.  By the way, you might just encourage them, too.

Good news and not so good news today from my mission-minded friend, David Stahl…

…Attached (is a) picture of the maternity clinic as it draws near completion.  (It) looks like we already have customers.  It is true; if you build it they will come and receive Jesus.  On a more somber note the US Embassy, playing the peace-maker in the DARFOR Sudan situation, had to shift the SSH money (around $13-15,000) we planned to use for our equipment and supplies.  I plan to go in as soon as I get the money together for the equipment and supplies.  I am waiting and praying (that) God moves on the hearts of some friends I know.  I just know God has not led us this far for us not to finish.  God has done a great work for His glory in Aveile, (Nigeria) and the best is yet to come.  The lives that will be saved both physically and spiritually will be uncountable.

Perhaps, you are one that God wishes to use to raise up part of the needed funding for the maternity clinic in Aveile.  The clinic is in a Muslim area near central Nigeria and is a great opportunity for Christians to extend compassion and the Gospel to these friends in need.  If you would like to contribute, email David Stahl at dstahl@ec.rr.com